WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden visited the Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland today to discuss new missions and activities slated for GRC under the President's budget proposal and how this new investment would affect Northeast Ohio companies that contract with NASA.
"Last night, a talented 25 year-old announced that he would leave Ohio and pursue his career elsewhere. And while there has been a lot of attention placed on this one Ohioan, I'm most interested in keeping thousands of young people in our state by ensuring the growth of high-tech industries. NASA Glenn Research Center is an important part of these efforts. The Center's important STEM mission will help engage more young people in math and science, and new investment in the Center will support job growth at local, high-tech companies that do business with NASA, Brown said.
"Today's visit is part of an ongoing effort to develop and grow the relationship between NASA Glenn and the business community. NASA Glenn is one of Cleveland's best assets and today's visit is an important step to show NASA Headquarters that Glenn should be one of NASA's best assets."
Brown and Bolden participated in a roundtable convening the Cleveland business community with NASA to discuss future collaborative efforts. They also attended a meeting with NASA employees to discuss future implications of President Obama's budget proposal. Later today, Brown will accompany Administrator Bolden as he addresses the Cleveland City Club.
Also during today's visit, Ramon "Ray" Lugo III was appointed Director of GRC effective July 18. He has been serving as Acting Director since March 2010.
In April, the Obama Administration announced a new budget proposal for NASA. Under the President's budget proposal, GRC would receive $2.15 billion and gain three new missions that would be critical to the future of NASA and would bring new economic development and job creation to the region. In comparison, under the previous space exploration funding schedule, GRC would have received $583 million over the next five years. In May, Brown visited the GRC to discuss how federal investment will translate to new business for Ohio's Aerospace Industry.
Sen. Brown has been a long-time advocate of the Glenn Research Center. He has worked with his colleagues to host regular meetings of the Ohio Congressional Delegation, creating a united front of support in Washington, D.C. for GRC. In January, Brown wrote to President Obama about the need to bring new work - particularly in the field of alternative energy research and development - to the NASA Glenn Research Facility in Cleveland.
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